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"Since I was a child, I have always loved drawing.
As an architect, I was trained to sketch on site in my first year of my studies. I have always considered sketching a wonderful tool in my job to understand things, more in the field of spatial relations than in their material aspect.
On the other hand, I have always brought a sketchbook with me in my travels as a much more effective way of keeping a memory than a photograph. But lately my travel sketches tended to be too few and too quick.
I have recently found Urban Sketchers, and then discovered the immense joy of sketching outside with no particular task. Reading Usk’s manifesto, I feel especially sensitive with the point of keeping a record of time and place, and I’m changing from sketching just architecture to understand the city as a big scenario for human activity.
I live in Málaga, a city in the south of Spain with more than half a million residents and 2,500 years of age; but also the center of a busy and lively metropolitan area, home of an active harbour and a big tourist destination. Now that I have two small children and I do not travel as much as before, I’m trying to show this mixture of old and new in my drawings. It is so rewarding to share my work with so many excellent artists and receive continuous feedback from other members! And, last but not least, to learn from other parts of the world.
I'm delighted to join Urban Sketchers."
• Luis' art on flickr.

Workshop C: Straight to colors

Workshop descriptionThis workshop provides participants with the experience of producing a drawing where the line tends to lose its predominance in the drawing process. The drawing will be made using masses of tones and colors, creating bi-dimensional shapes that represent the real appearance of things in space. This study is also associated with the technique of art markers.

Technique: This workshop should be made using art markers, preferably. The use of art marker pens allows fast and efficient sketches. This material is also very useful for urban sketching as its straight tip allows us to create 'areas of tones and colors’. These areas may be reduced progressively to configure details. The application of art markers technique will be presented throughout a simple demonstration followed by individual comments.

Learning goalTo introduce the concept of drawing with masses, instead of only lines, associated to the art markers technique.

Workshop format

I. PRESENTATION (15 min. )

The goals of the workshop will be presented visually. My own drawings and the work of other artists will serve as references.

II. PRACTICE (2.5 hours)

1st part (1 hour) – Quick Sketches (10 to 15 minutes each)

We will make sketches directly with art markers, alternating the use of line and masses.

Sketches of trees: In these studies we are using the negative space: voids are held by lines that together creates forms of branches and foliage. The participant will observe how art markers are efficient to cover large areas and suggest foliage.Sketches of buildings: In these studies we are using other exercises, like creating a perspective without marking the vanishing points (using negative spaces and visual relations).

2nd part (1.5 hours) – More elaborated drawings.

Drawing straight to masses of tones and colors using art markers (or watercolor).

Sketch of a square or a building: The idea of this study is to show the participant a new possibility of artistic expression — without the use of line and contours, we tend to approach painting. We will work directly with masses of tones and colors, instead. These masses should be larger in the beginning and will be reduced gradually to configure details.

This exercise will also serve as a brief introduction to Painterly*: Opposition between Linear (represents things as they are, tactile and tangible) and Pictorial (represents what appears to be).

Note: The intent is not to eliminate the line forever. But this is a great exercise to broaden our artistic repertoire.

*Painterly: Of, relating to, or being a style of painting marked by openness of form, with shapes distinguished by variations of color rather than by outline or contour.

III. APPRAISAL (15 min.)

Drawings will be placed side by side for evaluation. By observing them, students will be able to better understand the concept and the technique proposed.

Supply list

Art markers provided by bronze sponsor Chartpak.Participant should also bring ink pens, like Micron Pigma 0.1 mm.Participants can also use watercolor to substitute the art markers.

Reference images

"Teaching anything related to drawing is certainly one of the most gratifying experiences for me. As a passionate illustrator and sketcher, it has been very stimulating for me to talk about drawing in my classes, and it is a remarkable experience to see students sketching on location for the very first time."